Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
WESTMINSTER, Md. – No. 24 Franklin & Marshall defeated McDaniel 21-14 in Centennial Conference (CC) football action Saturday afternoon. The Diplomats improved to 3-0, 2-0 CC while the Green Terror fell to 1-2, 0-2 CC.
After an early McDaniel touchdown, the Diplomats answered with a 15-play, 54-yard drive that took almost nine minutes off the clock to tie the game at 7-7. The drive featured four third-down conversions and a heavy dose of Joe Hartley-Vittoria who picked up 34 yards on eight carries. Tanner Erisman found Kevin Lammers for a two-yard score to end the drive and Drew Tomlinson's extra point tied the game at 7-7.
The Diplomats forced a three-and-out on the Green Terror's next possession, setting up F&M's next scoring drive. Keshon Farmer picked up 15 yards on the first play of the series, before breaking off a 46-yard touchdown run on the next play to put F&M up 14-7.
Both defenses stepped up during next few series as neither team put together a drive over five yards. McDaniel finally broke through and tied the game at 14-14 heading into the break.
Both defenses dominated the third quarter, limiting each team to just 78 combined yards during the quarter.
F&M put the go-ahead points on the board early in the fourth. The Diplomats marched 54 yards down the field on seven plays and Hartley-Vittoria capped off the drive with a one-yard score. Tomlinson's PAT made it 21-14 with 11:59 left to play.
The defenses again stepped up and forced two punts apiece by both teams and after a turnover on downs, F&M took over on the McDaniel 39-yard line with 2:11 left to play. The Diplomats put together a 5-play drive and were able to run out the clock to secure the victory.
Tanner Erisman completed 14-of-25 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown. Timothy Walter was the leading receiver with six grabs for 92 yards and K.J. Pretty ended with 32 yards on four grabs.
Joe Hartley-Vittoria had a game and career-high 112 yards on 26 rushes with one score and Keshon Farmer ended with 58 yards on 10 carries with a score.
Joe Granahan led the defense with nine tackles (5 solo), including 3.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Marlen Fenstermacher had five stops (3s) and Bobby McDevitt along with Frank McGlinchey both ended five tackles, with two going for a loss each. McGlinchey also recorded a sack as did Brendan Kilkenny and Kevin Gault was in on half-a-sack.
The Diplomats return home next Saturday when F&M hosts Susquehanna at 1:00 p.m.